March 17, 2020 – The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado has activated the Community Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) in response to the COVID-19 protective measures that are now in place in Southwest Colorado. These measures, such as closures, cancelations, self-quarantines and social distancing, have been deemed necessary to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission, and particularly to preserve and protect the capacity of our local healthcare facilities.

Donations are now being accepted to deploy funds to community-based organizations directly responding to the most vulnerable members of our community. These resources will be disbursed as needed and as available.

Community stakeholders, including representatives from public health, local governments, school districts, businesses and nonprofits, will prioritize available funds to meet immediate needs in our region, including public health needs and economic impacts.

CERF, designated for broad-based community emergencies in Southwest Colorado, was established in 2008 in response to the Season’s Restaurant fire. CERF has also been activated for the Gold King Mine spill in 2015, the Adobe Building fire in Pagosa Springs in 2016, and the 416 Fire in 2018.

“Donations to CERF are designated for emergency use, and impactful distribution of funds will be determined as soon as possible by an advisory committee of local stakeholders,” says Briggen Wrinkle, Executive Director of the Community Foundation.

To donate to the Community Emergency Relief Fund visit www.coloradogives.org/cerf.

The Community Foundation envisions a generous, vibrant and inclusive Southwest Colorado, with opportunities for all to thrive. The Foundation manages more than $6 million in investments for philanthropists in our community, offering invaluable resources to ensure that donors can be impactful with their giving, making a difference in the lives of others. These measures, such as closures, cancelations, self-quarantines and social distancing, have been deemed necessary to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission, and particularly to preserve and protect the capacity of our local healthcare facilities.

Donations are now being accepted to deploy funds to community-based organizations directly responding to the most vulnerable members of our community. These resources will be disbursed as needed and as available.

Community stakeholders, including representatives from public health, local governments, school districts, businesses and nonprofits, will prioritize available funds to meet immediate needs in our region, including public health needs and economic impacts.

CERF, designated for broad-based community emergencies in Southwest Colorado, was established in 2008 in response to the Season’s Restaurant fire. CERF has also been activated for the Gold King Mine spill in 2015, the Adobe Building fire in Pagosa Springs in 2016, and the 416 Fire in 2018.

“Donations to CERF are designated for emergency use, and impactful distribution of funds will be determined as soon as possible by an advisory committee of local stakeholders,” says Briggen Wrinkle, Executive Director of the Community Foundation.

To donate to the Community Emergency Relief Fund visit www.coloradogives.org/cerf.

The Community Foundation envisions a generous, vibrant and inclusive Southwest Colorado, with opportunities for all to thrive. The Foundation manages more than $6 million in investments for philanthropists in our community, offering invaluable resources to ensure that donors can be impactful with their giving, making a difference in the lives of others.